Iraq: Prosecution of British Soldiers

Lord Goldsmith: On 19 June 2004 the Army Prosecuting Authority directed that Private Johnston, 1st Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, should stand trial on one offence of unlawful wounding contrary to Section 20 of the 1861 Act. There is an alternative charge of an offence under Section 69 of the Army Act 1955 in relation to negligent handling of a weapon. The matter relates to a non-fatal shooting of an Iraqi boy, aged 13 years, which occurred on Monday 15 September 2003.
	No date has yet been set for trial or for a preliminary hearing in this matter.